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Dear Craig:

I have a pond, but I’m worried about mosquitoes, especially with the recent media attention on West Nile Virus. What can I do to be sure that my pond doesn’t become a mosquito breeding haven?

Jim

Fountain Hills

Dear Jim:

West Nile Virus didn’t make it to Arizona until 2003. The virus lives in mosquitoes and birds and can infect humans and horses. Mosquitoes can carry the virus and pass it on to humans, birds, and horses when they bite. Most often, symptoms are so slight that they seem insignificant and are almost undetectable in humans. In other cases, about 20 percent of those infected will have flu‑like symptoms that can last for weeks.

The virus can become fatal to the elderly and very young.

In addition to West Nile Virus, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm disease to dogs and cats.

Left untreated, the disease is fatal to our pets.

It’s hard to think of our dry, desert settings as being able to support mosquitoes, but there are areas where they can and do breed. If you have a good, healthy pond, the chances of it harboring mosquitoes are minuscule.

First of all, mosquitoes lay their eggs in still and stagnant water. There are very few decorative ponds around that don’t have a pump and filter system to keep them clean and the water moving.

The constant movement discourages mosquitoes from landing and breeding. Besides ponds, more probable breeding sources include abandoned swimming pools, neglected birdbaths, clogged gutters and areas like old tires that can hold water for a day or two after it rains.

Second, much of the aquatic life in our ponds devours mosquitoes and their larvae. Dragonflies consume adult, flying mosquitoes, as will frogs, birds, and bats. Small fish eat the larvae once they hatch from eggs.

If you don’t have koi or goldfish in your pond, you may want to acquire Gambusia affinis, otherwise known as mosquito fish. This small, brown fish gives live birth and the babies begin devouring mosquito larvae as soon as they are born. They are very hardy and can live in most water conditions. They can even be added to livestock tanks. Mosquito fish are avid breeders, so you only need a few to start with. Many places, such as Desert Tranquility Nursery, offer them for free. You can also check with your local county extension office.

If still not convinced your pond or small body of water is mosquito‑free, there are products available to add to water that will kill mosquito larvae. Mosquito dunks and other biological mosquito controls are now on the market. Microbe‑Lift has a product that uses a bacillus to kill mosquito larvae. This product is safe not only for aquatic fish and plants, but also in areas that may come in contact with humans, animals, horses, livestock, pets birds or wildlife. It is called Microbe‑Lift BMC (Biological Mosquito Control).

As you can see, there are many Ways to combat mosquitoes and keep them from breeding in open water. Don’t let a fear of mosquitoes keep you from enjoying your pond.

Listen to Craig Saturday mornings from 6 to 7 a.m. on KFNX 1100 AM talk radio and watch for his new TV show “The Carefree Gardener” on KPNX‑TV 12 starting Sept. 30 at 5 a.m.

If you have landscape or garden questions you would like answered email your questions to AskCraig@carefreegardens.net or fax your questions to Carefree Gardens “ask Craig” at 623‑742‑7216. Past articles can be found at www.carefreegardens.net.

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